When cancer patients experience medical problems, they may visit emergency departments, but how often and for what reasons, there is little data. A first-ever study of emergency room use by oncology patients in North Carolina was published in the May 23, 2011 online issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Authors hope the study can give them information so that they can target clinical problems to improve delivery of quality cancer care, thus avoiding emergency room visits.

“This work is essential. Clearly Psych MH needs are on the rise given the challenged economy, prolonged efforts to secure peace, and lack of providers. The work of our PMHNP faculty is exemplary. Their collective excellence in teaching, research and practice is laudable.

The UNC Chapel Hill School of Nursing is co-sponsoring the Second International Conference on Prevention and Management of Chronic conditions and the World Congress on Self-care Deficit Nursing Theory that will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, March 23 – 25 2011.